Finding the Passion in Your Life (Part 2)

Last week I wrote about finding passion in your life’s work and how I, over the years, never thought about passion in my work. In my blog, I questioned why some people seem to always focus on their passions and why others (like me) don’t. If you didn’t read it, then click here to read as it sets the stage for what I am about to tell you.

As you’ve read, I thought that the decisions I made over my lifetime about my work have always been made on what I was good at and where I could get a good job. When I retired I was asked “what are you passionate about? when were you the happiest in your career?” Then, and only then, did I think about passion and I easily answered “I want to help women feel good about themselves.”

When was I the happiest at work?

When I reflect back, I was happiest at work when I led a team of people who felt good about their work, felt they were being valued, challenged, learning something, and having fun. I also had a special affinity to helping women. I worked in a man’s world and when another female came along I wanted to help her navigate that world.

When several of my female team members urged me to become a “personal stylist” when I retired, I laughed! They said “Kathy, I would love for you to take me shopping and show me how to dress like you dress.” Well, needless to say, I thought about that long and hard as I was deciding what to do after retirement. I liked putting outfits together, I liked shopping and I was good at it! So here again, I was considering something that I liked and was good at but never thought I was passionate about.

My sudden realization

It wasn’t until two weeks ago when I started focusing on passion, reading articles about how to find your passion, and talking to people that everything became crystal clear.

I suddenly realized that I had focused on my passion my entire career!

Remember how I told you early on that I wanted to be a teacher? I led the Future Teachers of America club at my high school. I always helped my classmates with their math homework. In fact, last year, I went back to my home town and visited a classmate. I had lunch with her and her husband who I hadn’t seen for some 40 years. The first thing he said to me was “I remember you – you always helped me with math.” I smiled. I felt really good – he remembered me because I helped him.

Even though, I never ended up in front of a classroom, I have always “coached’ people my entire life. Back in the day, we had secretaries and then assistants – I know 3 of these women went to college and graduated while they worked for me and then went on to other careers.

I also look back and several times in my career, I was given the employees who needed special coaching. One time, my boss said “Kathy, if anyone can help him turn this around it is you.”

During my career, I was part of the Project Management Institute and I was a mentor to several young project managers. When I first retired, I mentored math students at a charter school in Providence. Last year, I just taught 40 women at TAPIN (a local non-profit) how to use a new computer system. Are you sensing a common theme here?

What I have finally realized is that I’ve always loved teaching, coaching, helping people feel good about themselves in one way or the other. That is my passion!

I didn’t realize it as I always thought a passion was something artistic or creative or something that would make people say “wow”. I only had to put “two plus two together” (pun on math!) to conclude that just helping people feel good about themselves in many different situations or ordinary life was my passion!

My advice if you are struggling to find your passion

My take away in all of this is that, if you are struggling to find your passion, think back on your life and remember what you wanted to be, where you received the most joy and see how they can apply to your life and your work today. It doesn’t have to be something exotic. It could be something as simple as “helping people feel good about themselves” as I discovered. Just remember back and you might be surprised by what has been right under your nose all along!

I would love to hear your comments about finding your passion in life.

Comments

What a great post Kathy, I liked part 1 as well. How great for you to finally realize you were using your passion in life everyday in different ways throughout your life without realizing it. For me, I have always been drawn to a design related field, that is why I chose fashion design and even though I have gone through periods I have questioned my choice, I know deep down I chose the right field for me. I love what I do especially now when I am older and more focused on what parts to concentrate on.
Norahttp://www.jacketsociety.com

Nora, thanks for sharing your point of view. I’m happy you have chosen to keep with fashion design as I absolutely love your designs and your products. I’m always looking forward to see what you offer next. Keep on doing what you are doing!

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I had been dreaming about hiring a personal stylist for years and last month actually made it a reality. Right from the start I was extremely impressed with Kathy's knowledge, follow-up and dedication to my needs (and timeline). I wanted a sounding board...confidence booster...and most of all, honest feedback on what my current style/dress was saying about me. Although I do not think I am superficial...our body language, posture and dress says a lot about 'us'. After staying home with my son for almost 2 years I knew I had to take charge of my closet. Kathy's approach to style is very scientific. Through conversations, quizzes and color analysis we determined the look that I not only LOVED but fit into my budget AND lifestyle. During the day I am speaking clinically to professionals, possibly dancing some zumba in the early evening and playing with Thomas the Train Bath Toys before dinner...needless to say I not only wanted but NEEDED a flexible and manageable wardrobe. Whether you meet with Kathy for an hour or sign-up for her full service boutique experience, she is well worth every penny. Not only is she fashionable and trendy she knows a good bargain when she sees one. This small investment in your personal style and wardrobe is insignificant in the amount of money Kathy will save you. She continues to send me 'great looks' and hot sale items that are just too good to pass up. I am a "Effortless Style" client for life. Thank you for polishing my look and giving me the extra boost of confidence I needed as I re-enter the work force.

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I started working with Kathleen Kostrzewa in the fall of 2014. It happened to be at the time of my life when I wanted to move forward and make some changes. Kathleen encouraged me to set some time limitations and set some attainable goals. This turned into some very positive outcomes. She helped me to understand that I was not an unusual individual walking in a the same avenue many women my age are. I respect her timeliness and patience and also her effort in making a difference in women's lives.

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Kathy was incredible at helping me reorganize not only my closet but my life. After the birth of my daughter, my house and life felt like it got turned upside down. I was definitely the last one on the list. With Kathy's guidance I was able to address so many things that had been pushed to the side. She is incredibly understanding and a great listener. She helped me find what was important in my life to help boost my self confidence. She help me create realistic, attainable goals in my hectic life. I suddenly could fit myself back into my life and it feels amazing. Kathy also helped me declutter and organize my wardrobe so I can choose outfits that make me feel and look good! I was so tired of feeling like a constant napkin for my toddler! She's given me simple but incredibly effective tips to help this tired momma look and feel rejuvenated, refreshed, and energetic again. My time with Kathy has been a game changer for me and my family.

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Kathleen was very helpful and encouraging as we went through an analysis of my style and colors. We also did some shopping where we discussed which clothing styles work best with my body type. Kathleen was very easy and fun to work with and made me comfortable right away even though I was a bit self-conscious at first. She has a great sense of humor that mixes just right with a professional approach to helping women with little things that make a big difference in self-esteem and self-perception. I highly recommend her to women of all ages to get a very helpful, objective, and scientific boost. I'm very happy with her help and plan to check back in periodically to make sure I'm on track!